The Vistula Spit canal commemorated on a postage stamp
On September 21st of this year, a postage stamp from the "Przekop of the Vistula Spit" issue was officially unveiled. The opening of the new shipping canal is consistent with Poland's consistently implemented policy of increasing its economic security, constituting another important step towards independence from Russia.
The presentation of the "Przekop of the Vistula Spit" postage stamp took place on September 21st of this year at the Elbląg 1 Post Office. The ceremony was attended by Andrzej Śliwka, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, and Leonard Krasulski, Member of the Polish Parliament. Poczta Polska was represented by President Krzysztof Falkowski and Vice President Wiesław Włodek.
"The opening date of the shipping canal – September 17th – was not chosen by chance. On this day in 1939, Hitler's ally, the Soviet Union, stabbed Poland in the back. The opening of the canal on the Vistula Spit is proof that we are capable of learning from history – of ensuring our security, economic interests, and sovereignty. This important investment is also consistent with our policy of independence from Russia. In the face of the tragic events in Ukraine, no one should doubt the correctness of our actions," noted Andrzej Śliwka, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets.
The postage stamp features a bird's eye view of the Vistula Spit canal, and the first day of circulation (FDC) envelope features a diagram of the shipping canal and the necessary infrastructure.
"Polish Post commemorates not only important anniversaries and figures on postage stamps. Our philatelic publications also serve as testaments to the groundbreaking and important events we are witnessing. The opening of a new waterway, a canal connecting the Elbląg region with the Polish Sea, undoubtedly deserves to be commemorated on a postage stamp. I am convinced that this will not be the last investment of this type, important from the perspective of Polish interests, to be featured in Polish Post publications in the near future," said Krzysztof Falkowski, President of Polish Post.
The Vistula Spit canal connects the Vistula Lagoon with the Bay of Gdańsk by sea and shortens, deepens, and simplifies the Baltic Sea route, bypassing the Piława Strait in Russian territory. Ships will gain free access to all Vistula Lagoon ports and the seaport in Elbląg. The canal's launch will open up new development opportunities for Elbląg, Warmia, and the entire Eastern Poland. The economic attractiveness of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship will also increase, and Poland will gain independence from Russia. This is crucial given the war on our eastern border. The "Vistula Spit Canal" postcard will commemorate the investment, which, though considered vital to Polish interests for centuries, was not completed until 2022.
It's worth noting that the "Przekop Spit Vistula" stamp isn't the only Polish Postal Service release featuring Polish waterways. Several years ago, the company featured them on a series of postcards. Maritime and nautical motifs are a frequent theme on postage stamps. A few days ago, Polish Post celebrated the anniversary of the Rozewie Lighthouse by introducing a philatelic issue called "200 Years of the Rozewie Lighthouse."
About the stamp:
author of the project: Poczta Polska SA
number of stamps: 1
value: 0.60 gr
circulation: 5,000,000 pcs, repeatable
printing technique: rotogravure
stamp format: 31.25 x 25.5 mm
paper: fluorescent
sales sheet: 100 stamps
date of introduction into circulation: 17 September 2022
